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Michigan State's Tom Izzo a candidate for Orlando Magic coaching job?

Detroit Free Press
Published 12:38 p.m. ET May 24, 2018

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Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo walks off the court after losing to Syracuse, 55-53, in the second round of the 2018 NCAA tournament at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Sunday, March 18.(Photo: Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press)

As NBA teams try to fill their head coaching vacancy, might a Basketball Hall of Famer from Michigan be headed south?

The Athletic's Michael Scotto tweeted on Thursday morning: "The Orlando Magic have expressed interest in Michigan State coach Tom Izzo for the team's head coaching position, league sources told The Athletic."

The Orlando Magic have expressed interest in Michigan State coach Tom Izzo for the team's head coaching position, league sources told The Athletic.

Richard DeVos and Jay Van Andel, the ownership group for the Orlando Magic, are from Grand Rapids.

Izzo's teams have struggled to meet high expectations the last few seasons. Though his teams have extended his run of consecutive NCAA tournament appearances to 21, he has not made it to the Sweet 16 the last three years, the longest drought of his career.

Last season was perhaps Izzo's most tumultuous off the court. Despite winning the Big Ten regular-season title, reports swirled around the program, from past sexual assault allegations to star Miles Bridges' impermissible benefits. Izzo has so far been cleared of wrongdoing.

Michigan State's Miles Bridges walks off the court after the 55-53 loss to Syracuse in the NCAA tournament Sunday, March 18, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press

Michigan State's Miles Bridges reacts after a dunk during the second half of the 55-53 loss to Syracuse in the NCAA tournament second round Sunday, March 18, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena. Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press

Michigan State's Miles Bridges reacts after dunking in the second half against Syracuse in the second round of the 2018 NCAA tournament at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Sunday, March 18. Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press

Michigan State's Miles Bridges dunks in the second half against Syracuse in the second round of the 2018 NCAA tournament at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Sunday, March 18. Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo walks off the court after losing to Syracuse, 55-53, in the second round of the 2018 NCAA tournament at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Sunday, March 18. Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press

Syracuse fans celebrate with Oshae Brissett after the 55-53 victory over Michigan State in the second round of the 2018 NCAA tournament at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Sunday, March 18. Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press

The Michigan State bench reacts to a stressful ending as they lose, 55-53, to Syracuse in the second round of the 2018 NCAA tournament at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Sunday, March 18. Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press

Michigan State's Matt McQuide sinks a 3-pointer at the half buzzer against Syracuse in the second round of the NCAA tournament at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday, March 18, 2018. Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press

Michigan State's Cassius Winston fights for a loose ball with teammate Xavier Tillman as Syracuse's Bourama Sidibe falls to the floor in the first half in the second round of the NCAA tournament at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday, March 18, 2018. Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press

Michigan State guard Cassius Winston drives against Syracuse guard Frank Howard during the first half in the second round of the NCAA tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 18, 2018. Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press

Michigan State forward Nick Ward reacts after scoring against Syracuse center Paschal Chukwu during the first half in the second round of the NCAA tournament at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday, March 18, 2018. Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press

Michigan State's Jaren Jackson gets instructed by coach Tom Izzo in the first half of action against Syracuse in the second round of the NCAA tournament at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday, March 18, 2018. Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press

Michigan State guard Joshua Langford makes a pass during the first half in the second round of the NCAA tournament at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday, March 18, 2018. Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press

Michigan State guard Cassius Winston shoots against Syracuse guard Frank Howard during the first half in the second round of the NCAA tournament at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday, March 18, 2018. Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press

Michigan State forwards Xavier Tillman and Kenny Goins rebound against Syracuse forward Marek Dolezaj during the first half in the second round of the NCAA tournament at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday, March 18, 2018. Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press

Michigan State guard Miles Bridges has his shot blocked by Syracuse forward Oshae Brissett during the first half in the second round of the NCAA tournament at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday, March 18, 2018. Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press

Michigan State forward Xavier Tillman rebounds against Syracuse forward Matthew Moyer during the first half in the second round of the NCAA tournament at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday, March 18, 2018. Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press

Michigan State forward Xavier Tillman defends against Syracuse forward Oshae Brissett during the first half in the second round of the NCAA tournament at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday, March 18, 2018. Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press

Michigan State gets together in the tunnel before they take the court in the second round of the NCAA tournament against Syracuse at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday, March 18, 2018. Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press

“I’ll be here,” Izzo said after losing the Syracuse in the second round of the NCAA tournament in March at Little Caesars Arena. “And we’ll be back knocking on the door to win a championship. I’m gonna make damn sure of that.”

This would not be Izzo's first flirtation with the NBA. In 2000, he was up for the Atlanta Hawks job, a few months after winning the NCAA championship. The Hawks replaced Hall of Famer Lenny Wilkins with Lon Kruger, who lasted just two-plus seasons.